KingFut’s 2016/17 Egyptian Premier League end of season awards

Al Ahly won the league unbeaten and El-Maqassa’s heroics made Zamalek finish outside the top two, but who came out on top in the 2016/2017 season?

Hossam El-Badry’s men became the first side to go unbeaten since 2006, while Misr El-Maqassa finished the league campaign in second place [their highest-ever league finish]. Strangely, Zamalek finished third despite starting the season well and even were undefeated in their first 16 games, but a miserable run of results in March and April made them finish 11 points behind second-placed Misr El-Maqassa.

But who was KingFut’s player, goalkeeper, and manager of the season? Find out the winners below…

There is absolutely no surprise that Ahmed El-Sheikh has been named KingFut Player of the Season. He is the most exciting player in the Premier league and has produced several moments that have been crucial for his side this season.

After scoring eight league goals in 20 matches in 2014/2015 for Misr El-Maqassa, El-Sheikh joined Al Ahly in the summer of 2015 after a stiff competition with arch-rivals Zamalek, but his debut season with the Reds was poor. He was limited to just eight games and scored twice, but this season he returned spectacularly to form after joining his former club on loan.

The 24-year-old didn’t just lead his side to their best-ever league finish, he won the top scorer award as well after scoring 17 goals in 27 league appearances. He also managed to assist nine times, which means he was directly involved in 40% of El-Maqassa’s league goals this season.

The 34-year-old’s consistent performances led Al Ahly to their 39th league title and the African Champions League quarter-finals after keeping 30 clean sheets in 39 games across all competitions, but his crucial penalty save against Misr El-Maqassa earlier this season will give Al Ahly fans chills for years.

KingFut’s Manager of the Season: Hossam El-Badry

The fans were surprised by Al Ahly’s performance under Hossam El-Badry although they weren’t enthusiastic when he was announced as the club’s manager in August. El-Badry’s third stint at Al Ahly is his most successful after winning the Premier League unbeaten, ten points clear of second-placed Misr El-Maqassa and 21 points of arch-rivals Zamalek, who finished third.

El-Badry has made Al Ahly difficult to beat once more, and he reignited the careers of many players including Saad Samir, Sherif Ekramy, Hossam Ashour and Saleh Gomaa. He also guided the Reds to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in three years and the domestic cup semi-finals.

The 57-year-old guided Al Ahly in 46 games this season, with an overall record of 32 wins, 13 draws, and one loss [a win percentage of 70%], but can he guide the Premier League champions to the African Champions League title and the domestic cup? Only time will tell.